U.S. boosts logistics for overseas flood relief

U.S. boosts logistics for overseas flood relief    The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided almost $2 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the humanitarian logistics operation and the provision of emergency relief supplies for health, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs.
   This funding is in addition to the $2.5 million previously provided through the World Food Program for the humanitarian logistics operation.
   USAID said the funding will support the delivery of shelter materials and other relief supplies to flood-affected areas of Pakistan through the development of 'an efficient logistics pipeline that allows for the rapid receipt and distribution of relief items.'
   Working with the Pakistani government, the USAID-funded logistics operation includes a trucking service for humanitarian aid that is requested in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency and flown into Chaklala airbase in Islamabad. The relief supplies are then trucked to hubs for onward distribution via mule, jeep, aircraft or other means. Additional logistics hubs will be created based on need.
   'With this USAID funding, IOM can quickly provide relief supplies to flood-affected areas, including Thatta District where thousands of displaced people are returning as floods recede,' the agency said.
   To date, the United States has provided more than $150 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan.